Guwahati, 31st May: Assam continues to reel under a severe flood situation, with over two lakh people affected across nine districts. Since May 28, the state has witnessed heavy rains, storms, and floods resulting in six fatalities.
The worst-affected districts include Nagaon, Karimganj, Hailakandi, West Karbi Anglong, Cachar, Hojai, Golaghat, Karbi Anglong, and Dima Hasao. Road connectivity has been severely disrupted, particularly in Cachar, Karimganj, and Hailakandi districts of Barak Valley, after a 20-meter stretch of National Highway-6 was washed away by heavy rain in Meghalaya’s Lumslum area.
Cachar district bears the brunt of the deluge, with 1,12,246 people affected. Other districts facing significant impacts include Karimganj with 37,000 people, Hojai with 22,058, and Hailakandi with 14,308. In addition, 3,238.8 hectares of crop area are submerged, and 2,34,535 animals are affected.
The Brahmaputra and Barak rivers, along with their tributaries, are flowing above the danger mark in several locations. Over 35,000 people have sought refuge in 110 relief camps, with Hojai hosting the highest number of displaced individuals at 19,646, followed by Cachar with 12,110, Hailakandi with 2,060, and Karimganj with 1,613.
In Barak Valley, particularly Silchar town, several areas are waterlogged, causing traffic snarls. Road connectivity in Dima Hasao district is severely compromised, with the Haflong-Silchar road completely cut off and the Haflong-Harangajao route blocked by multiple landslides. Train services remain disrupted due to landslides along the Haflong-Badarpur rail route.
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has attributed the early onset of the southwest monsoon in Assam and the Northeast to the influence of Cyclone Remal. The IMD has issued warnings for heavy rainfall and thunderstorms in the districts of Goalpara, Bongaigaon, Sonitpur, Biswanath, Dibrugarh, Karimganj, Cachar, Hailakandi, Dima Hasao, Dhubri, and South Salmara over the next two days.
Officials continue to monitor the situation closely and are urging residents to remain cautious and follow safety advisories to mitigate the impact of the floods and severe weather.